Laid-Back Outdoors (Winter) spacer
 

Visiting Southwest Idaho in the winter is a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet.

But peace and quiet definitely does not mean boring. If you choose, you'll find lots to do all winter long. Snowshoeing. Wildlife viewing. Or nothing at all. It's all here in beautiful Southwest Idaho.

Sledding: OK. So there's a couple of ways to do this. You can just find a nice wooded hill near your cabin or hotel. Or you can head up to Bogus Basin or Southfork Landing in Garden Valley and take in their groomed tubing hills (complete with automated lifts) and enjoy all the speed without the effort.

Snake River Birds of Prey: Visit Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey to learn through interactive exhibits and intimate encounters with live birds, including the endangered California Condor, Harpy Eagle, and Aplomado Falcon.

Sleigh Rides: Hey, not every minute can be action packed. But you might be surprised how the sight of a majestic elk in its natural winter habitat gets your heart racing.

Ice skating: Love hockey? Ice skating? Curling? Hit the ice. Idaho Ice World in Boise or Manchester Ice & Event Centre in McCall offer a wide range of programs and activities.

Hot springs: Explore some of Idaho's many natural hot springs. You'll find them scattered throughout Southwest Idaho from Marsing to Lowman and everywhere in between.

Seasonal festivals: Depending on your travel dates, you may be able to catch one of the many seasonal events happening in Southwest Idaho all winter long. Favorites include McCall's Winter Carnival with its giant snow sculptures and Winter Garden Aglow at the Idaho Botanical Garden.

Also Consider

Skiing & boarding: Choose between Brundage Mountain (350"+ average snowfall) in McCall or Bogus Basin, just 14 miles from downtown Boise. You'll find groomed nordic trails at Bogus Basin, Ponderosa State Park in McCall and throughout the Payette and Boise National Forests.

Enjoy a night (or day) on the town: Browse the Boise Art Museum, watch some live theater, or just take in dinner and movie. You'll find it in Boise.

Snowmobiling: Whether you want to race across a frozen lake or just enjoy a leisurely ride in the forest, you'll find plenty of opportunities on the hundreds of miles of trails throughout Southwest Idaho's mountain areas: McCall, Cascade, Garden Valley, Smith's Ferry, Lowman, Featherville, and Idaho City. Enjoy a guided trip or explore on your own.